Spool grip connector



Filed Dec. 14, 1956 ilk.

ai w SPOOL GRIP CONNECTOR Filed Dec. 14, 1956, Ser. No. 628,250

2 Claims. (Cl. 339-272) My invention relates to electrical connectors'for terminating or connecting wire conductors, and more particularly to a spool-shaped connector around which the wire is secured by snubbing action.

The connectors in service today include service strain clamps which depend on two sheet metal partswhich wedge together about the cable to grip it securely; strain clamps and dead-ends which grip the cable by means of U-bolts; and automatic dead-ends which employ a split-cone inside a tapered tube. These connector types are bulky, heavy, and require accessory devices for providing the ultimate clamping force.

It is an object of my invention to provide a practical form of terminal or tap connection which employs the snub-grip principle. Other objetcs are to provide such a device which may be installed expeditiously without accessory tools; which may be used for multiple tap connections; and which is reduced in bulk, light in weight, and adaptable for use as strain clamps, dead-ends, midspan taps, and similar devices.

I accomplish these and other objects and obtain my new results as will be apparent from the device described in the following specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of my device as installed.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a modification.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same.

My invention is illustrated in the run and tap connector provided with a clamp 12 for attachment to a run cable 14, and four tap connecting elements 16, which are each shaped in the form of a spool 18, each having a peripheral groove 20 about which the tap wires 22 are wound.

The clamp 12 comprises the cap 24 having laterally positioned apertures 26 through which the bolts 28 are positioned. Underneath the cap, an extending ridge 30 terminates in a groove 32 for engaging the run cable 14.

The spools are preferably cast on each side of a plate-like body 34 which is grooved as at 36 on one side for seating the run cable 14, and threadedly apertured as at 38 on each side of groove 36 to receive the threaded end of bolt 28.

The illustrated construction provides four tap-oifs from four spools. The grooves 20 of the spools are V-shaped, the angle and depth of the V being critical for accom' modating a specific range of wire sizes. For example, for a range of Wires from #6 S01. to #4 A.C.S.R. 6-1 str., I have found that both sides of the V should form a total angle of 20 to give adequate pull-out, and be deep to accommodate the range.

The ends of the body are provided with normally extending ears 40 threadedly apertured as at 42 to receive a locking screw 44, which is tightened against the free end of the tap wires to prevent accidental loosening of the wires from the spool.

The edges of the spools adjacent the cap 24 may be flattened as at 46 to permit the tap wires to be dropped therebetween with a corresponding saving in overall length of the connector. Otherwise it would be necessary to thread each tap wire between the V-shaped slot and the cap 24.

Each tap wire is assembled in the opposite direction (arrows a and b in Fig. 1) from the one on the opposite side of the corresponding spool, to make assembly easier. The body of theconnector is made of conductive metal to reduce the resistance of current flow from the run to tap conductors.

In Figs. 4 and 5, I have illustrated a modified form of my construction, adapted for use as a dead-end connector. It comprises the spool 50, the rear edges of which are extended to form a clevis 52. The body 54 of the spool is V-shaped as in .the construction described above, and a set screw 56' may be employed to retain the free end of the cable 58in position.

The V-shape of the grooves permits the tap wires to be made self-wedging as the tension on the wires is estab lished. This supplements the snubbing action of the spools. At the set screws, the wedging action is unnecessary, and the groove may be simply rounded, as at 48, to receive the wire, since the function of the set screw is simply to keep the free end of the wire from outward movement.

I have thus described my invention, but I desire it understood that it is not confined to the particular forms or uses shown and described, the same being merely illustrative, and that the invention may be carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit of my invention, and, therefore, I claim broadly the right to employ all equivalent instrumentalities coming within the scope of the appended claims, and by means of which, objects of my invention are attained and new results accomplished, as it is obvious that the particular embodiments herein shown and described are only some of the many that can be employed to attain these objects and accomplish these results.

I claim:

1. A snub type connector for electrically and mechanically joining two wires together, comprising: two circular spool-like bodies formed side by side and having a common wall therebetween; each spool having a groove extending around its periphery; a major portion of each said groove being of substantially V shape and adapted to retain a wire disposed therein by snubbing action; a minor portion of each said groove being of substantially.

U shape and adapted to conform to the surface of the portion, a pair of two circular spool-like bodies formed side by side and having said web portion as a common wall therebetween; each spool having a groove extending around its periphery; a major portion of each said groove being of substantially V shape and adapted to retain a wire disposed therein by snubbing action; a minor portion of each said groove being of substantially U shape and adapted to conform to the surface of the therein disposed wire; a pressure-applying means mounted on each side of said wall adjacent the respective U portions; each said pressure-applying means being adapted to independently apply pressure substantially perpendicularly to the snrface of the respective wire to retain said wire against its respective U surface; each of said spoollike side by side bodies of said pair being spaced apart on said web portion; and a support means for said connedtor disposed on said Web Edition between said pair of spool-like side by side bodies.

References Cited in tbe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

